H.T.H., 48, from Lai Chau Province, went to Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi for a general health examination. Before the examination, she had almost no digestive symptoms.
During a colonoscopy, doctors found a flat white parasite at the end of the ileum extending toward the transverse colon. They removed a section of the tapeworm measuring about 70 centimeters. Testing identified the specimen as consistent with a beef tapeworm (Taenia saginata).
The woman was referred to an infectious and tropical disease specialist for evaluation, consultation and treatment with a specific medication prescribed by a doctor. Resident doctor Vu Thi Ngoc Bich said infections often cause few symptoms or go unnoticed. Removing a section helps identify the parasite, but does not mean it has been completely removed.
The tapeworm's head may remain attached to the small intestine and continue growing. Infection is mainly caused by raw or insufficiently cooked beef containing parasite larvae, which develop into adult tapeworms in the small intestine. Rare beef, quickly dipped beef and raw beef salad may carry a risk if they contain larvae.
Bach Mai Hospital recommends thoroughly cooked food, boiled water and limiting undercooked beef dishes. Choose meat with a clear origin and veterinary hygiene controls, use separate utensils for raw and cooked food, and wash hands after handling raw meat. Seek medical care if tapeworm segments appear in stool or on clothing, digestive problems continue or weight loss has no clear cause.
Sources: Thanh Niên
